Okay, I’ve been in woodworking for 40 years and out of the Festool loop. What the h*ll is a Systainer? Is it just a box for storage and transport, or what?
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from woodcraft.com.
pretty neat org system, not sure (I take the back, no way today) I'd pay what they're askingfor. Nicely engineered though.
Festool's thoughtful engineering extends to everything they build and Systainers are more than just storage boxes for tools. They can be accessorized to house and protect your tools and store consumables while still portable enough to go with you and protect your valuable investment from the hazards of the being on the road. The lid latches of the Systainer also latch one Systainer to another for fool-proof stacking. More than just a simple box, Systainers are the ideal shop storage organizer! Basic boxes are 15-5/8" x 11-5/8".
Okay. My guess is these would do little more than take up space in my shop. I don't transport tools, and I'm not of a mind to put everything away in its own nice little designated space whenever I'm not using it. That's a nice thought, but in reality ....
it aint gonna happen.
Thanks.
In case you're not aware, all of the tools come in systainers. And systainers can also be snapped into place on top of the vacuums.
-Steve
all of the tools come in systainers.......
Oh goody goody. <insert tongue deeply in cheek>
I wonder if there's an aftermarket for selling them. They are not something I'd use.
Not a Festooly, but work with one.
They are nice tool cases. Being square they fit in
the truck well. Not overly impressed with the locking together feature.
What I'm going to carry six boxes at once?
no, means you've got to unsnap four clasps to get the darn thing out of the truck.
Sounds like the perfect design for orderly organizational types. Which I aint. Here's my technique for new power tool purchases.....
Purchase tool in custom formed matching color poly carry box .
Drill hole in wall. Insert 1" x 6" dowel.
Remove tool from custom formed matching color poly carry box.
Hang tool on dowel.
Throw custom formed matching color poly carry box in dumpster.
I caught hell at work for my disparaging
remarks about Systainers yesterday so... I think everyone should be required to purchase
a systainer box for every tool they own. We must keep
all tools in properly labelled systainer box at all times,
and all systainer boxes must be properly locked together into
one mile high tower.
A monument to German organization. PS It's the boxes that are important. Please feel free
put any tool in them, including your new Ryoby tooth brush.
Again it's the box that we care about, so no you don't have
to actually use the tools. In fact that is discouraged as you
will be removing them from said box.
LMFAO.
That's true. If you keep the tool in the box, it helps retain the integrity of the box.
"That's true. If you keep the tool in the box, it helps retain the integrity of the box."Yep, they look so "pretty" all stacked up in the shop.
Edited 3/25/2008 9:46 am ET by basset-hound
Tail between my legs,
Head held low... I came home with a systainer today.
Was there anything in it or was the second mortgage only enough for the systainer?"There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
-- Daniel Webster
Yeah, there's a saw in there.
My wife said "it's cute".
Is it?
Rob
Wouldn't know, can't take it out of the case.
Who cares about the saw: it's the Systainer that counts.
"all systainer boxes must be properly locked together intoone mile high tower."
As much as I would like to become a Festooly, I just don't have that much headroom in the shop. Is it OK to have several shorter towers? Can the boxes also be linked side to side and front to back to form more of a monolith to German organization? Also, is it OK to just buy and display empty boxes to showcase your discerning tastes and allegiance to the Festool brand?
Rob
well there is a proper protocol to follow. But as long as your papers are signed in triplicate and
you "Know" the right people we could work something out.
And just remember, if you stack them outside, they must have a light on them every fifty feet to conform to regulations. That is 106 lights that have to be meticulously maintained. As a matter of fact, I do save and use those cases. If it is a tool that is used seldomly or if I have to haul it around, it is nice to have the case even if it is only to keep the related stuff together. Would I buy the case if it was an extra? Probably not.
Edited 3/22/2008 11:31 pm ET by Tinkerer3
You hit the nail on the head. If I want to use a tool I don't want to have to drag out a case, open the latchesm open the case, and pull out my tool. And to put it back, I have to unplug it, coil the cord up neatly (usually twice, because the first attempt isn't neat enough), put the tool back in the case, close the case, secure the latches, and put the case away. For me, and included case isn't a selling feature. It seems like every time I get a blow molded case, it gets dented (irrepairable) on day one.Chris @ flairwoodworks
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Aint it fun bein' a slob? <g>
As I like to say,
Pardon my mess,It's a sign or progress!Chris @ flairwoodworks
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
It is good to hear from others that they do not use cases either, I build homes mainly, woodwork on weekends for now, but got into a debate the other day with a buddy at work about cases, systainers, frustraters. Now that I am working mainly as a sub on job-sites, I don't have the time to get all my cases out, line them up, and then begin the puzzle. I gave them up six years ago and have been much happier ever since. This crew I sometimes work with, spent like an hour one day just putting stuff back in cases. Granted they had a lot of nice stuff out, but you do the math, I vow to never waste my precious time on this planet trying to put the Makita power planer back in its case. Seriously, who designs these too small for the cord boxes anyway. I have already wasted at least a solid week or two of my life trying to get all of those sockets organized and put away so I can at least get the lid closed. I dialed my truck bed instead with a loft and drawers underneath, carry wood on the rack. no friggin cases ever again.
John
John, I am sytainer-free already, and haven't bought a Festool yet. <g>
blewcrowe,
if you have a number of systainers, you can fill them each with concrete and you have a nice solid set of stairs.
If you have enough space, you can make a track which moves the systainers around the loop, much like how the luggage system works at an airport. Then you can make them come to you.
If you have kids in college, they like systainer boxes to keep their stuff in.
Have fun.
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel, your post has me laughing my arse off!
Blew,
Glad you enjoyed my meager attempt at woodworking humor. That is difficult to do. Did you hear about the woodworker who fell into the upholstery machine? Don't worry about him, he is recovered.YUK YUK YUKThe whole Festool phenomenon is very interesting to me. They do something that I love. They focus on QUALITY, and they do it well. I get the feeling that they really care about having very very good tools, not just making money. Obviously they also try to cater to what my wife calls "yuppie woodworkers" = that is, older woodworkers with more money than common sense. I am reminded of the saying "Cocaine is God's way of telling you that you have too much money." Maybe "Festools are God's way of telling a woodworker that he has too much money". Since I work at Woodcraft, I could buy Festool at about half what they sell for retail. But I haven't bought a single one. Even at half price, I am not tempted. I have sanders, routers, etc and I make my M&T joints with jigs that I have made. I have what psychologists call an "approach avoidance" conflict with Festool. They go for perfection, which I love, but the price is very high, which I dislike. But even there I am conflicted. I am happy to buy Lie Nielsen planes and Pfeil "Swiss Made" gouges, which are also high quality and pricey.So what is the difference between Lie Nielsen and Festool. Well, Festools wear out and are replaced by newer models. Lie Nielsen planes are like diamonds, they are "forever". I also don't like companies that make tools which require that you use ONLY their sandpaper, etc. There is no need for that. I am not sure why I wrote this. Why would anyone care what I think about Festool? OK, I take it all back. :-)Have fun. Thanks for letting me know that I gave you a grin.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Yes, I've been rangling with the issue myself and have yet to make up my mind. From all accounts, the quality looks exceptional. I'll put that in the do-the-deal column. On the this-is-keeping-me-from-doing-the-deal column, I place the following:
Restricted to their stuff: like sandpaper, tenons, vac bags, etc. If you forget to stockpile or unexpectedly do a run on something, it's not like you can run to the local Ace or Wallyworld and grab what you need.
Paying for a Systainer I don't want. Obviously, they've go to ship it in something. And I'm sure some guys LOVE it. But my guess they're placing fifty or seventy-five bucks of value on this box whereas I have no use for it.
Learning curve with certain items. Hey, I'm dense. I'm not bad if someone shows and shows me how to use something. But left alone with me and an instructional manual, well, let's just say it's a good thing I don't keep my handgun close by or you'd have to send my family a Hallmark card.
The price isn't like 10, 20 or 30% higher, such as I'd expect to pay for better quality. It's 100-200% higher.
Currently, I'm most attracted to two things.
The sander/collector combo, and for reasons of good dust control only. I'm not a health nut. In the summer I'll open the doors and windows and let the dust roll out naturally. But in the other half of the year, I can't do that. Probably not a learning curve with this tool. My biggest caveat is having to buy their sandpaper and bags.
The Domino, as maybe it replaces m&t jobs. The caveat here is learning curve. I know I know: some say it's easy. For me, it will be a huge challenge. And that's my problem: I'm a thick headed dumbo. But it doesn't encourage me making the deal.
Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and humor. It's all appreciated.
For me the overpriced tool question comes down to- Does it allow me to do my work better and or faster then with out
it?
I just bought their plunge saw, because A: I got it used and cheap.
B: Having used someone else's I know how useful it really is. Some of their tools are head and shoulders above the rest.
But others are just part of their system. I don't want to
pay the price just to have the cases match.
But when they offer something that no one else can do (Domino jointer)
I see no problem paying for their R+D and quality. By the way I work with someone who has their sander. The dust collection is no better then my Dewalt hooked up to a $60.00 Rigid
shop vac.
The sander is nicer, just not $200.00 dollars nicer.
I hear you. Thanks for the observations.
Mel,You working in the Springfield Woodcraft? What hours? Might stop in to say hi when I'm up that way.Also, just another 2 cents on the Festool issue. I spend most of my time over on Breaktime. The craftsmen over there really like it, too, accuracy & dust collection are at the top of the list. However, there are competing systems, too. EZ Smart has a system of guides & clamps that cost much less than Festool & use generic tools. Also, just in case it hasn't been mentioned over here. Makita & DeWalt are coming out w/ plunge cutting, rail guided saws. Apparently available in England/Europe(?) first. Makita appears to be using the Festool rails where the DeWalt system appears to be entirely new & the saw is based on their big Li-Ion batteries.BD
bd,
You asked my hours at Woodcraft. They change each week. I will send a message to your email with contact information. We will get together.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
"So what is the difference between Lie Nielsen and Festool. Well, Festools wear out and are replaced by newer models. Lie Nielsen planes are like diamonds, they are "forever"."My thinking exactly!I was in need of purchasing a new circular saw recently and seriously considered purchasing the Festool. However, for the price of the Festool, I could buy the PC magnesium circular saw AND a Lie-Nielsen plane :-)
Simply Shaker,
Thanks for writing. I am glad you agreed with my "non standard" thinking about Festool and Lie Nielsen.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
I have a complete set of "original" systainers that I got from my dad. They're the white 5 gal. buckets that held the Skil saw and accessories, the drills and accessories, and my basic handtools.
Drawback to the original systainer...not stackable when full.
tony b.
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